BY PETE MOHR | JUNE 16, 2010

35-member “Seven-on-Seven” squad heads for June 18-19 tournament at San Diego State

ASU Tourney Stars: For their play at ASU’s Passing League Tournament, Friday, June 11, Head Coach Chad DeGrenier singled out (standing, l-r) receivers Gunner Black, Kyle Gladstone; (kneeling) quarterback Tony Payne. On to San Diego!
Photo by Pete Mohr

CSHS – “We like to play the best right out of the gate,” Head Football Coach Chad DeGrenier half-jokingly pointed out to Sonoran News after Summer Football Camp’s Monday morning session. That was “Coach D.’s” opening comment on (Tucson) Salpointe Catholic coming to Falcon Stadium, Friday evening, August 27, to open the 2010 season. Mark this schedule change in red on your football calendar, Falcon fans.

“We’d been talking with Salpointe over the last several weeks about playing them as an 11th game. When (Flagstaff) Sinagua notified us that their school was closing, we moved almost immediately to book Salpointe (5A-I South Region). “They’re huge – and tough!” DeGrenier warned. If the Falcons upset the Lancers, they’ll tally 60 power points instead of the usual 50 for a win.

Vail Cienega (Sept. 3), Greenway (Thursday, Sept. 9) and improved Shadow Mountain (Sept. 17) will be at “The Rooste,” before the Falcs hit the road for Paradise Valley, Friday, Sept. 24. Count on a band of angry Demons (Greenway) and Trojans (P.V.) who’ll be looking to avenge their respective double overtime losses to CSHS in 2009.

The sad “demise” of the Mustangs (all school closings are sad) leaves Friday, Oct. 1 as an open date (bye) on the Falcon schedule. “How do you feel about the bye, Coach?” “Well, we’ve never had one before; but it could give us a good chance to rest and heal-up before we start our Region schedule at home against Apache Junction on Oct. 8. The Prospectors will be remembering that we spoiled their Homecoming, 28-27, last season. Also, after practicing in the triple digits of July and August, I like getting started a week earlier (Aug. 27) than we were originally scheduled.” The Salpointe opener gives the ‘Birds six home games, four on the road.

This Thursday, 35 “Seven-on-Seven” Falcons will bus to San Diego for the team’s annual appearance in San Diego State’s “Passing League Tournament, Friday and Saturday, returning Sunday. Coach DeGrenier: “I’m not sure that I can tell you why; but this tournament, in the past, has been a pretty reliable indicator of how our season is going to go. It gives us a chance to compete against teams we know nothing about. We’re starting to get better. From the SDS Tournament, we should get a pretty good early read on where we are.”